Five weeks from now, volunteers on Guam and throughout the United States will canvass the streets, beaches and parks for an annual one-day census of the nation's homeless population.

And while community groups are trying to determine what services homeless people need, the government of Guam is trying to lease a building where they can shelter safely for the night.

The Guam Homeless Coalition is recruiting volunteers for the Point-in-Time count, which will be conducted on Jan. 26, 2018.

Although the number of homeless people here decreased by 51 percent from 2011 to 2017, there still were 852 people without homes counted this year, including 303 children, according to data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

'Snapshot'

In addition to counting, volunteers also gather demographic data about the people they question, coordinator John Blas said. Respondents talk about mental health and substance abuse issues, veterans status, and how long they've been without homes.

But the count only provides a limited picture of the homelessness.

It "is a one-day survey," Blas said. "It is a snapshot of our homeless population."

The coalition wants to recruit between 250 and 300 people to help. First-time volunteers will need to attend one of the training sessions scheduled from 8 a.m. to 2 pm. Jan. 17, 18, 19 or 22 at the Catholic Social Service conference room in Barrigada. Returning volunteers will attend a session from 8 a.m. to noon Jan. 16 or 23 at the same location.

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, and only volunteers who have attended the training will be allowed to work in the field as enumerators.

Property needed

Meanwhile, the Guam Housing Corporation wants to lease an apartment or commercial building to provide overnight shelter for people without homes.

“I want to encourage landlords to work with us to provide this service that we hope will be a piece of the solution to the homelessness issue on our island,” Gov. Eddie Calvo stated. “Our initial goal is to ensure there’s a safe place for people, especially the women, children, or elderly to have a safe place to sleep for the night.”

The agency, at the governor’s direction, is trying to find private-sector landlords with property in central Guam to lease an apartment building or commercial building.

The goal is to find an apartment complex with 15 units or more to provide safe evening shelter and place to shower in the evening. People would check into the facility in the evening and check out in the morning. Police would be able to drop off people who have taken shelter in parks and other places.

Hub for services

The location also would serve as a hub for faith-based organizations and social services to help people get back on their feet, and as a pick-up point for daily job opportunities and employment programs.

“In speaking with people who are homeless, we know this is a complex issue,” Lt. Gov. Ray Tenorio said. “We would like this facility to evolve into a hub where we can connect these folks with education and job opportunities, along with housing and health services, so they can get back on their feet.”

Multiple facets to issue

The governor's office stated that job creation and affordable housing have helped with reducing homelessness on the island. In 2011, the peak year for homelessness on the island, volunteers counted 1,745 individuals without homes, according to the HUD data.

"The Calvo Tenorio administration has focused on helping our people through affordable housing programs, and growing the economy, which creates more jobs," said the governor's spokeswoman Oyaol Ngirairikl. "Since 2011, the administration focused on ensuring there are affordable homes for Guamanian families – to date we have more than 2,500 units, and have plans to build more."

"There are multiple facets to the homeless issue," Ngirairikl said. "The challenges range from a lack of education, to cognitive/physical disabilities and drug addiction. Some folks have jobs but just can’t afford a place with the salary they’re making."

In recent years, housing programs have been expanded and outreach has been conducted, so people living on the streets can get into programs that can help them, she added.